Pfov  • 

q^JLaA. 


THE  . . 


International 


• Inst 


OF  CHINA. 


T3‘'5T  • 

v/ 

REV.  GILBERT  REID. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/internationalinsOOreid 


REPORT 


OF  THE 


MISSION  AMONG  THE  HIGHER  CLASSES  IN  CHINA. 


THE  INTERNATIONAL  INSTITUTE. 


BY 

REV.  GILBERT  REID. 


This  report  is  a condensed  report  of  six  others  previously  issued. 

The  International  Institute  is  the  result  of  the  Mission  among  the  Higher 
Classes.  It  is  the  Mission  presented  in  institutional  form. 

A mission  among  the  higher  classes  is  not  so  much  a mission  to  them,  as 
a mission  for  them, — and  so  through  and  with  them  for  the  masses. 

This  special  line  of  work,  directed  to  a special  class,  aims  to  reach  the 
greatest  results  by  utilizing  the  greatest  energies  and  the  highest  influence. 
It  has  not  been  suddenly  projected  out  of  one's  wild  imagination  or  internal 
conciousness;  the  plan  is  not  primarily  formed  in  accordance  with  con- 
ditions in  other  lands,  but  it  is  the  result  of  years  of  hard  work  and  experi- 
ence, and  is  adapted  especially  to  the  present  conditions  of  China.  It  is 
therefore  directed  to  those  on  the  ground,  acquainted  with  the  work,  rather 
than  at  a distance  from  those  unfamiliar  with  the  special  requirements  and 
special  methods. 

To  explain  the  evolution  of  the  thought  and  the  work,  the  statement 
made  must  be  a personal  one.  For  ten  years  I was  a missionary  in  the 
Province  of  Shantung  under  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  New  York  City. 
During  seven  years  of  this  time,  while  engaged  in  the  usual  forms  of  mis- 
sion work,  my  time  and  tastes  were  more  and  more  directed  to  a new  de- 
partment of  labor  among  the  official  classes.  Owing  to  the  opposition 
which  our  missionaries  experienced  in  the  matter  of  purchasing  property 


4 


and  securing  protection,  my  intercourse  with  the  officials  was  largely  of  a 
business  kind,  and  as  an  opponent.  After  years  of  persistant  pressure  and 
frequent  conferences,  desirable  sites  for  the  missionary  establishments  were 
at  last  secured  in  the  two  largest  cities,  and  what  is  more,  peaceably  so, 
and  with  the  good  will  of  the  mandarins  and  local  gentry. 

At  the  end  of  ten  years  the  Presbyterian  mission  in  the  Province  of  Shan- 
tung recommended  that  on  my  return  to  the  United  States  this  special 
work  among  the  ruling  classes  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Churches, 
and  that  on  my  return  to  China  I should  represent  the  whole  mission  in 
cultivating  more  friendly  intercourse  with  the  officials  of  the  Province,  for 
at  least  a period  of  two  years.  After  a furlough  in  the  United  States  of  a 
little  over  a year,  the  matter  was  carefully  considered  by  the  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  After  receiving  a written  statement  from  my 
self,  expressing  the  intention  to  devote  the  rest  of  my  life  to  the  special  work 
among  the  higher  classes,  and  requesting  that  the  Board  express  its  candid 
opinion  as  to  whether  it  would  be  more  desirable  that  this  work  should  be 
done  under  the  Board  or  as  an  independent  mission,  the  reply  in  substance 
was  that  the  Board  would  prefer  that  I should  devote  most  of  my  time  to 
the  work  of  preaching  among  the  common  people,  and  that  if  I desired  to 
make  the  work  among  the  higher  classes  a specialty  it  would  be  better  to 
do  so  independently  of  any  denominational  Board.  I therefore  resigned 
from  the  Presbyterian  Board  with  the  greatest  of  respect  for  the  efforts  put 
forth  by  its  missionaries,  and  with  friendliness  towards  them  all.  The  will 
of  God  seemed  clear  to  me,  and  1 decided  to  make  the  experiment  in  this 
untried  department  of  missionary  enterprise.  I was  willing  to  make  a few 
explorations  in  the  very  large  unknown  territory  of  Chinese  officialdom. 
The  best  place  it  seemed  to  me,  for  concentrating  these  efforts  was  in  the 
political  and  literary  centre  of  the  whole  Empire  the  City  of  Peking. 

During  the  summer  of  1894  the  war  arose  between  China  and  Japan.  As 
the  months  passed  by,  it  became  more  and  more  clear  to  my  mind  that  an 
opportune  time  had  come  for  putting  forth  efforts  to  reach  the  official 
classes  in  Peking.  And  so  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  I returned  to  China. 
While  my  enthusiasm  was  commended  by  my  friends,  it  was  the  prevailing 
opinion  that  my  efforts  would  prove  a failure.  On  reaching  Peking  I had 
to  face  the  awful  fact  that  of  all  the  great  number  of  officials  I only  had  a 
personal  acquaintance  with  three.  Furthermore,  it  was  not  the  custom  for 
the  officials  to  have  intercourse  with  foreigners  at  their  own  homes.  The 
only  officials  to  deal  with  foreigners  were  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  and  their  intercourse  was  only  with  the  foreign  Ministers, 
or  persons  whom  they  might  introduce,  or  such  others  as  might  be  in  the 
service  of  the  Chinese  Government  These  relations  were  carried  on  either 
at  the  Foreign  Office  itself  or  at  the  Foreign  Legations.  The  homes  of  the 
better  class  were  closed  to  foreigners,  except  when,  from  time  to  time,  they 
might  call  in  the  services  of  some  foreign  physician.  This  persistent 
exclusiveness  has  made  the  central  government  far  less  inclined  to  a pro- 
gressive policy  than  the  outside  provinces,  and  may  be  regarded  as  one  of 
the  causes  of  China’s  decline  during  the  last  few  years. 


5 


A short  time  after  my  return  to  Peking,  one  of  the  three  official  friends 
whom  I had,  a member  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  and  a Minister  in 
the  Cabinet,  came  in  person  to  call  upon  me  to  express  his  thanks  for  the 
efforts  which  I had  put  forth  in  the  United  States  in  behalf  of  better  legis- 
lation for  the  Chinese  laborers.  He  informed  me  that  the  various  printed 
documents  which  I had  been  sending  to  him  had  for  the  most  part,  through 
his  orders,  been  translated  into  Chinese,  and  were  placed  on  file  in  the 
Foreign  Office. 

In  a month  or  so  I again  adopted  the  Chinese  costume,  and  made  my 
first  real  attempt  to  gain  an  entrance  to  the  exclusive  official  circle  of 
Peking.  I began,  moreover,  at  the  very  top.  I secured  a list  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Cabinet,  and  also  of  the  Ministry  of  War,  which  at  that  time 
was  the  important  body  in  the  Empire.  I prepared  a letter  which  would 
be  suitable  for  each  one  of  these  men.  I also  prepared  a short  statement 
referring  to  the  needs  of  China  at  that  time,  I then  went  in  person  to  call 
upon  them.  This,  I maj'  say,  was  in  accordance  with  Chinese  ettiquette, 
for  the  rules  of  propriety  in  China  require  that  the  stranger  should  first 
call  upon  the  resident.  Within  the  next  few  weeks  I made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  five  of  these  prominent  officials,  one  of  whom  was  the  most  powerful 
man  m the  Government  at  the  time,  and  the  great  rival  of  Li  Hung  Chang, 
the  tutor  of  the  Emperor,  and  also  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Revenue. 
He  had  never  before  met  a foreigner.  Another  had  been  tutor  of  a previous 
Emperor,  and  had  held  high  offices  m Peking  for  over  thirty  years.  A third 
had  been  a Governor  in  the  provinces,  and  stood  in  great  favor  with  the 
Emperor.  A fourth  was  one  of  the  princes,  who  for  ten  years  had  presided 
at  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs.  A fifth  was  a great  favorite  both  with  the 
Emperor  and  the  Empress  Dowager,  arid  was  the  Military  Governor  of  the 
city.  All  these  received  me  at  their  own  homes.  Their  friendship  has 
remained  unto  the  present  time. 

Among  the  highest  officials  there  remained  the  most  prominent  of  all  still 
to  be  reached.  Prince  Rung.  When  I made  the  request  to  see  him  at  his 
own  palace,  I was  informed  that  this  was  contrary  to  usage,  and  that  if  I 
desired  to  present  any  document  or  letter,  to  him,  I must  do  it  at  the 
Foreign  Office.  But  here  was  a difficulty.  Thus  far  no  foreigner  who  had 
no  official  position  in  his  own  government,  or  in  the  Chinese  Government, 
had  been  admitted  to  that  body  without  an  introduction  from  his  own  Min- 
ister. Having,  however,  already  made  the  acquaintance  of  all  but  two  of 
the  members  of  the  Foreign  Office,  I called  upon  the  Under  Secretaries 
and  asked  them  if  it  would  be  proper  for  them  to  present  for  me  a letter 
addressed  to  Prince  Rung.  They  replied  that,  under  the  circumstances, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  consent  of  the  Prince,  there  would  be  no  objec- 
tion. I therefore  presented  a letter  at  the  Foreign  Office  which  the  Under 
Secretaries  handed  to  the  Prince  within  the  palace.  This  was  the  first 
opening  to  that  important  body.  The  communication  then  and  there  begun 
in  a formal  way  has  improved  rather  than  diminished  during  the  three 
years  which  have  passed. 

In  a few  months  Prince  Rung  sent  word  to  me  that  he  would  be  glad  to 


6 


see  me  at  a certain  hour  at  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs.  He  received  me 
most  cordially,  and  with  the  greatest  of  courtesy.  He  desired  to  know  the 
object  of  my  visit  to  Peking.  I told  him  in  brief  that  it  was  to  do  anything 
to  help  on  China,  and  he  replied.  “ Yes,  we  know  that  you  are  a friend  of 
China,  and  any  time  you  desire  to  present  any  document  to  us  you  can 
feel  free  to  do  so  at  this  place.  I am  willing  to  see  you  here,  even  though 
you  may  have  no  official  rank.”  From  that  time  on  I continued  to  present 
documents,  both  to  the  Prince  and  to  the  Foreign  Office  as  a body,  dis- 
cussing various  questions  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  in 
the  interests  of  progress  and  peaceableness. 

Having  made  the  acquaintance  of  these  men,  high  in  authority,  some  of 
whom  had  a world- wide  reputation,  I next  made  an  inroad  into  the  ranks 
of  the  men  who  formed  the  Censorate,  or  the  Hanlin  College,  which  is  the 
highest  literary  body  in  the  Empire.  It  is  well  known  that,  as  a rule,  the 
Chinese  literati  have  been  the  strongest  foes  to  the  missionaries,  and  that 
whenever  riots  have  arisen  they  have  either  been  instigated  or  counte- 
nanced by  these  men.  By  a cautious  and  friendly  spirit,  I managed  to 
make  the  acquaintance  of  a large  number  of  these  men,  many  of  whom  had 
never  before  had  any  intercourse  with  foreigners.  Some  of  them  had  been 
even  intensely  prejudiced  against  foreigners,  and  especially  missionaries. 
The  friendship  of  these  men  I have  greatly  enjoyed.  I have  invited  them 
to  dine  at  my  own  honse,  and  many  of  them  have  reciprocated.  Several  of 
them  have  always  been  ready  to  assist  me  in  the  preparation  of  pamphlets 
and  books,  prepared  in  the  best  classical  style  possible,  and  in  many  cases 
they  have  refused  any  compensation.  Time  and  time  again  they  have  said 
to  me,  “If  you,  a foreigner,  can  work  for  the  good  of  our  country,  we 
should  be  willing  to  help.” 

One  of  the  first  Censors  to  call  upon  me  was  an  old  man  of  national  repu- 
tation, noted  for  his  purity  of  life  and  strict  honesty,  daring  and  high- 
mmded.  In  the  course  of  the  conversation,  I showed  to  him  something 
which  I had  just  written  with  reference  to  the  corruption  of  the  Chinese 
Government.  He  said  to  me,  “ Yes.  this  is  all  true  ; you  have  told  us  of  the 
disease,  can  you  tell  us  the  cure?  ” I replied  that  I would  prepare  in  a few 
days  a prescription  which  I would  send  to  him,  and  if  he  found  it  all  right, 
I would  be  glad  if  he  would  make  it  known  to  the  Emperor.  I at  once  went 
to  work,  and,  with  the  aid  of  two  writers  of  fair  literary  ability,  prepared  a 
document  dealing  first  with  the  cause  and  the  occasion  of  the  disease  of  this 
sick  man  of  the  far  East  ; and  next,  prescribing  the  remedy  for  the  cause 
and  for  the  occasion  of  the  disease.  A copy  I sent  to  this  Censor,  and  his 
reply  was,  “ I will  cherish  the  ideas  which  you  have  unfolded,  and  will 
place  your  paper  high  up  in  my  archives.”  I preferred  that  he  should  have 
placed  it  before  the  Emperor  rather  than  in  his  archives,  but  he  hardly  had 
the  courage  to  do  this,  for  I had  made  a clear  and  unflinching  statement 
concerning  the  awful  corruption  of  the  present  Chinese  system  of  govern- 
ment. After  a few  months  this  document  was  brought  to  the  attention  of 
a high  official,  who  was  also  a tutor  of  the  Emperor,  a man  of  pure  motives 
and  upright  life.  He  made  a few  corrections  and  recommended  that  I get 


7 


it  printed  for  circulation,  I then  sent  copies  to  every  important  official  in 
Peking  and  to  a large  number  of  others  having  less  authority,  but  being 
more  progressive.  I had  the  hope  that  something  might  be  done  to  bring 
about  the  reform  of  China.  Nothing  definite,  however,  was  accomplished. 

About  this  time  a spirit  of  reform  had  arisen  among  the  younger  men. 
From  their  high  literary  rank  they  possessed  great  influence.  An  English 
missionary,  the  Rev.  Timothy  Richard,  was  visiting  Peking,  whom  I intro- 
duced to  several  of  the  more  active  leaders  in  the  new  movement.  We  had 
several  conferences  together,  until  what  was  known  as  a “ Reform  Club” 
was  actually  started  by  these  young  men  in  this  conservative  centre  of  the 
Empire.  Their  spirit  of  reform  was,  however,  more  literary  and  educational 
than  moral.  They  lacked  the  strong  underlying  principles  of  an  active 
morality,  made  living  by  religious  convictions.  Nevertheless  the  move- 
ment was  encouraging.  A beginning  was  made.  But  hardly  had  they 
begun,  when,  through  suspicions  from  those  of  the  Imperial  family,  and  on 
the  basis  of  a memorial  condemning  the  movement  by  a Censor  who  was 
hostile  to  the  leaders  of  this  movement,  an  edict  was  suddenly  issued  by  the 
Emperor  commanding  that  the  Reform  Club  be  at  once  closed  up.  This 
frightened  or  disheartened  several  of  these  young  men.  Another  Censor, 
however,  presented  a memorial  in  favor  of  this  movement,  and  requested 
that  the  matter  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  for  consideration. 
As  a result,  Imperial  sanction  was  secured  for  the  establishment  of  what 
was  called  “The  Official  Book  Depot,  ” under  the  charge  of  one  of  the  tutors 
of  the  Emperor,  this  friend  of  mine  mentioned  above,  who  had  reviewed 
the  document  which  I had  prepared  relating  to  the  reform  of  the  govern- 
ment. Being  under  official  auspices,  this  organization  has  lacked  spon. 
tanity  and  independence,  and  has  accomplished  but  little  good.  The 
spirit  of  progress  has  continued  to  grow,  but  is  not  strong  enough  as  yet  to 
secure  a thorough  reform  in  the  Chinese  Government. 

I continued  to  devote  a great  deal  of  my  time  to  the  cultivation  of  friendly 
and  social  relations  with  the  Chinese  officials.  During  my  first  ten  years 
in  China  I had  made  the  acquaintance  of  at  least  one  hundred  mandarins, 
while  during  the  two  years  and  more  of  my  residence  in  Peking  I have 
added  on  three  hundred  more.  Thus  I have  actually  reached  the  polite 
number  of  the  “Four  Hundred”  of  China.  Such  a work,  friendly  and 
unofficial,  a mere  private  individual  making  a private  call  at  the  private 
residence  of  the  officials  of  the  Capital,  was  undertaken  without  any  pre- 
cedent. Among  a class  of  people  where  precedent  has  for  centuries 
reigned  supreme,  a mere  effort  was  a breaking  down  of  Chinese  exclusive- 
ness. At  the  same  time  I tried  to  avoid  giving  any  offence.  Seeking  first 
of  all  the  interests  of  China,  the  effort,  though  without  precedent,  could 
only  be  regarded  as  friendly.  It  has  always  been  my  conviction  that  if  a 
Chinese  mandarin  cannot  be  made  a Christian  we  should  seek  to  make  him 
a friend  rather  than  a foe. 

Of  these  officials,  whose  acquaintance  I have  made,  nearly  eighty  now 
hold  office  in  the  different  provinces.  In  this  way  it  has  been  possible  to 
extend  the  influence  from  Peking  to  all  the  provinces,  and  to  make  the 


8 


Chinese  officials  more  friendly  towards  the  missionaries  and  their  work. 
There  is  no  limit  to  the  possibilities  or  the  benefits  of  this  part  of  the  gen- 
eral work  of  reaching  the  upper  classes.  Under  the  conditions  of  the 
Chinese  political  system  it  is  possible  to  exert  an  influence  all  over  the 
Empire  by  exerting  an  influence  at  the  political  centre  of  the  Empire,  or 
through  the  political  leaders  of  the  Empire. 

In  addition  to  all  this  friendly  intercourse  of  a social  character,  and  the 
preparation  of  documents  discussing  questions  which  pertain  to  the  welfare 
and  development  of  China,  it  became  more  and  more  clear  to  me  that  some- 
thing more  definite,  practical,  tangible  and  real  was  necessary.  I therefore 
drew  up  the  plan  which  for  a long  time  I had  had  in  my  mind  for  the  estab- 
lishment in  Peking  of  an  institute  of  learning,  to  be  known  as  the  Inter- 
national Institute.  This  differed  from  a college  or  university  in  that  its  aim 
would  be  the  more  general  enlightenment  of  grown-up  men  who  would  be 
unable  to  go  through  a technical  course  of  training.  The  great  object  of 
such  an  institution  would  be  the  promotion  of  greater  friendliness  between 
the  Chinese  and  foreigners,  and  especially  between  the  officials  and  mis- 
sionaries ; the  adoption  of  measures  of  enlightenment  and  progress,  the 
extension  of  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  the  opening  up  of  the 
country  to  Western  education,  commercial  development  and  missionary 
enterprises,  and  the  hastening  on  of  the  prosperity  of  China  and  the  eleva- 
tion of  her  people,  so  as  to  insure  the  independence  of  her  government  with- 
out fear  of  foreign  powers,  and  the  peace,  happiness  and  redemption  of  the 
Chinese  race. 

Such  an  object  could  not  but  commend  itself  to  the  Chinese  authorities  if 
they  were  actuated  at  all  by  any  patriotic  feelings.  The  work  to  be  done  in 
such  an  institute  would  be  in  harmony  with  the  present  condition  of  China, 
and  suited  to  her  needs  in  the  present  crisis.  I therefore  proposed  the  erec- 
tion of  buildings  which  would  consist  of  a public  library,  a museum  or 
exhibit  hall,  offices  and  reception  rooms,  class  rooms  and  a large  auditorium. 
I asked  that  the  regulations,  as  drawn  up,  be  submitted  to  the  Emperor  for 
Imperial  sanction.  I was  informed  that  this  was  contrary  to  every  pre- 
cedent of  the  past,  and  that  while  my  purpose  and  plan  were  good,  it  was 
impossible  at  the  present  time  to  grant  my  request.  A promise,  however, 
was  made  to  confer  on  the  matter  some  time  m the  future. 

About  this  time  the  famous  statesman,  Li  Hung  Chang,  returned  fr<  m 
his  tour  around  the  world.  I resumed  my  acquaintance  with  him.  and  in 
the  very  first  interview  he  suggested  that  instead  of  pushing  the  scheme 
for  an  international  institute  I should  assist  him  in  forming  the  plan  for  a 
university,  to  be  under  government  control.  I promised  to  assist  him,  and 
had  several  conferences  on  the  matter.  We  reached  agreement  on  the 
main  points,  but  by  that  time  it  became  evident  that  the  government  was 
not  ready  and  had  no  money  to  establish  in  Peking  such  an  university, 
Both  of  these  plans,  the  one  for  an  international  institute  under  foreign 
auspices,  and  the  other  for  a university  under  Chinese  auspices,  were  alike 
favored  by  Li  Hung  Chang,  but  his  statement  made  again  and  again  co  me 


9 


was,  “ Nothing  can  be  done.  Our  men  are  too  conservative.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  secure  their  sanction.” 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  discouragement,  at  the  beginning  of  the  present 
year,  1897,  there  came  another  blow  to  my  hopes,  a trial  to  my  faith,  and 
the  deepest  sorrow  to  my  heart.  A message  flashed  across  the  wire  from 
my  home  in  the  distant  land  that  my  father  had  passed  away.  Knowing 
that  my  aged  mother  needed  my  presence,  I telegraphed  back  the  message 
that  I would  probably  come  home  in  the  spring.  For  a month,  in  gloom 
and  despondency,  the  sun,  though  shining,  was  hid  behind  the  clouds. 
Nothing  that  I had  proposed  to  the  Chinese  authorities  seemed  possible  of 
execution.  The  work  that  I had  begun  must  now  end,  and  end  in  failure. 
There  was  no  one  to  carry  on  the  work  in  my  absence  The  fact  that  I 
must  return  home  a failure  was  by  no  means  a pleasant  one. 

In  spite  of  all  this  discouragement,  I decided  to  make  one  more  attempt- 
I also  desired  that  my  father,  though  dead,  should  yet  speak.  I conformed 
to  the  Chinese  usage,  and  informed  my  official  friends  of  the  sorrow  which 
had  come,  and  prepared  in  Chinese  a short  “ In  Memoriam  ” of  my  father. 
I also  sent  a letter  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  and  one  to  Prince  Kung, 
in  which,  in  substance.  I said  : “ For  over  iwo  years  I have  presented  many 
documents  discussing  various  important  questions,  but  they  have  all  been 
in  vain.  I have  now  received  word  of  my  father's  death,  and  in  conse- 
quence I must  leave  for  my  home  in  the  month  of  April  At  the  last  he 
still  exhorted  me  to  continue  in  my  purpose  to  help  China,  and  this  counsel 
I will  heed.  Some  months  ago  I presented  the  regulations  of  an  institute 
to  be  established  in  Peking,  and  the  promise  was  made  to  see  and  consult 
with  me.  I would  be  much  pleased  if  an  appointment  should  be  made, 
etc.,  etc.” 

In  a few  days  a reply  came  with  the  cards  of  Li  Hung  Chang  and  another 
Minister  of  the  Foreign  Office  appointing  the  time  for  a conference,  and 
requesting  my  presence.  At  that  conference  I was  informed  that  it  would 
be  impossible  to  memorialize  the  throne  at  that  time,  but  that  a formal 
sanction  of  my  plan  for  an  international  institute  would  be  given  me,  and 
that  if  I should  succeed  in  raising  money  and  erecting  buildings,  a memorial 
could  then  be  presented  to  the  Emperor,  praying  his  Imperial  sanction. 

Not  long  after,  this  formal  sanction  was  sent  to  me.  It  was  under  the 
seal  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs.  It  had  been  granted  by  all  the 
princes  and  ministers,  nine  in  all,  who  formed  that  body.  The  document, 
moreover,  was  sent  to  me  direct  All  this  was  a decided  innovation.  It 
indicated  progress,  for  though  many  of  the  officials  did  not  themselves  care 
to  initiate  measures  of  progress,  they  were  willing  that  a scheme  of  progress 
should  be  carried  out  by  a foreigner.  It  was  the  first  time  that  a foreign 
scheme,  under  foreign  auspices  had  been  sanctioned  by  the  Chinese  Gov- 
ernment. This  was,  to  use  a commercial  term,  the  first  concession  granted 
to  a foreigner. 

Just  at  this  favorable  juncture  of  affairs,  the  Rev.  W.  A.  P.  Martin, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  returned  to  Peking.  It  was  forty-seven  years  since  he  first 


10 


came  to  China,  and  for  over  thirty  years  of  this  period  he  had  been  in  the 
Chinese  service,  the  President  of  the  Imperial  College.  After  consultation, 
he  decided  to  join  in  with  me  in  the  work  of  the  proposed  institute.  No 
better  man  could  I have  found  anywhere  in  China.  His  coming  made  my 
going  possible.  The  way  was  now  open  for  me  to  put  forth  the  efforts  to 
secure  the  funds  needed  for  the  erection  of  the  buildings  connected  with 
this  institute.  The  aid  rendered  to  the  undertaking  by  Dr.  Martin,  through 
his  large  experienee,  his  great  learning,  his  hearty  enthusiasm,  his  varied 
gifts  and  his  world-wide  reputation,  is  incalculable.  Well  may  I recognize 
the  hand  of  Providence  in  the  critical  time,  not  only  of  China,  but  of  my 
own  life  work. 

It  should  also  be  stated  that  a wonderful  impression  had  been  made  on 
the  Chinese  officials  by  the  respect  which  I had  shown  to  the  memory  of  my 
father,  in  harmony  with  Chinese  ideas.  At  once  letters  of  condolence 
began  to  come  to  me.  Many  of  my  Chinese  friends  called  in  person  to 
express  their  sympathy.  Others  wrote  scrolls,  or  presented  banners 
inscribed  to  the  memory  of  my  father,  and  containing  choice  expressions 
suited  to  the  sad  event,  many  of  which  were  filled  with  the  spirit  and  had 
the  hope  of  our  Christian  religion.  One  of  the  first  banners  received  was 
from  the  princes  and  ministers  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs.  It  was, 
indeed,  a most  remarkable  fact,  unprecedented  in  all  the  history  of  China, 
that  noted  princes  and  high  ministers  of  state  should  do  honor  to  the  memory 
of  one  who  lived  in  another  land,  whom  the}’  had  never  seen,  and  who  was 
an  humble  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  Over  two  hundred  officials  of  all  ranks 
joined  in  to  do  honor  to  the  one  who  had  gone.  Several  of  the  highest 
officials  in  the  government  took  the  time  to  write  out  scrolls,  either  to  the 
honor  of  my  father  or  myself.  Here  was  a testimony  of  friendliness  more 
potent  than  that  even  of  the  formal  sanction  which  had  come  from  the 
Chinese  Foreign  Office. 

Before  I left  Peking  I was  also  presented  with  a testimonial  from  Li  Hung 
Chang,  which  I could  use  in  the  United  States  and  Europe.  It  commended 
the  efforts  which  I had  put  forth,  and  also  the  plan  which  had  been  drawn 
up  for  the  international  institute,  and  promised  his  own  aid  in  the  future. 

An  Advisory  Council  was  formed  in  Peking  to  guarantee  a safe  direction 
of  the  affairs  of  the  institute,  and  the  proper  use  of  all  funds.  On  reaching 
Shanghai  a public  meeting  was  called  by  the  British  and  American  Consul- 
Generals,  which  was  largely  attended  by  the  business  men  of  that  com- 
munity. A committee  of  ten  men  was  appointed  to  render  any  assistance 
that  might  be  necessary. 

Learning  from  my  mother  that  it  would  be  unnecessary  for  me  to  hasten 
home,  I spent  a few  months  in  raising  money  among  foreigners  and  Chinese 
in  Shanghai  and  elsewhere.  Altogether,  $15,000,  or  one-fifth  of  the  build- 
ing fund,  were  subscribed.  Here  was  an  endorsement  superior  to  that  of 
mere  Resolutions.  Most  of  this  money,  which  had  been  subscribed,  came 
from  the  Chinese  themselves.  There  were  nine  who  subscribed  $750  each 
six  Chinese  and  three  Americans. 


11 


The  estimated  amount  for  erecting  the  buildings  is  $75,000.  Three 
English  architects  in  Shanghai  have  stipulated  to  erect  the  buildings  within 
that  amount.  Their  drawings  have  been  carefully  prepared.  Similar 
buildings,  with  a proper  site,  in  any  large  city  in  the  United  States,  would 
mean  an  expenditure  of  three  times  that  amount. 

The  task  now  remains  to  raise  the  $60,000  still  remaining,  and  also  to 
secure  a nucleus  for  equipping  the  museum  and  library  and  for  meeting  the 
working  expenses.  The  interest  already  shown  makes  me  confident  that 
this  money  will  be  secured.  I am  still  more  confident  because  I have  faith 
in  Providence.  God,  who  has  opened  the  doors  in  China,  will  open  the 
doors  in  our  Christian  lands.  What  no  one  individual  might  be  able  to 
accomplish  co-operation  will  succeed  in  doing.  There  is  a chance,  through 
agencies  and  forces  already  existing,  to  exert  an  influence  for  good,  not 
only  all  over  China,  but  through  many  of  the  cities  of  Europe  and  America. 
The  institute  is  international,  aiming  to  benefit  the  millions  of  Chinese 
through  their  own  leaders,  and  to  reach  these  leaders  through  those  who 
are  highly  favored  in  our  Christian  lands. 

In  the  Good  Book  it  is  written,  “ In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him,  and 
He  will  direct  thy  paths.”  I desire,  in  this  brief  resume  of  three  years’ 
work,  to  acknowledge  the  guidance  and  rich  blessing  of  our  Heavenly 
Father,  and  to  give  to  Him  the  glory  for  every  success  which  has  come. 
He  has  a more  tender  heart  towards  the  needy  ones  of  China  than  any  of 
us,  but  it  we  listen  to  His  commands  and  receive  into  our  lives  the  spirit  of 
the  Divine  Redeemer  we  may  do  much  at  this  important  time  in  the  history 
of  China,  and  through  the  agencies  which  God  has  placed  there  not  only  to 
help  on  the  advancement  and  prosperity  of  China  as  a whole,  but  to  bring 
light  and  happiness  to  many  a home  that  is  now  beset  by  gloom,  poverty, 
ignorance  and  hopelessness. 

“ There  is  a tide  in  the  affairs  of  men 

Which,  taken  at  their  flood,  lead  on  to  fortune.’’ 

A grand  opportunity  awaits  the  earnest  soul  ready  to  help  its  fellow  men. 
October  ij,  iSqj. 

Warsaw,  N.  Y. 


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